Liturgical Ministries

Lectors

The Lector ministry is a highly visible ministry. Lectors proclaim the Word of God during the Liturgy and lead the General Intercessions. A lector must have a passion for the Word of God; an ability to interpret and understand Scripture; and, sufficient public speaking skills to proclaim the Word to the congregation. Lectors currently serve approximately every 4 weeks, but must be willing to serve as needed.
Training is required and provided.
Diocesan regulations for this ministry are found on the attached link.Click for Current Schedule

Altar Guild

These ministers assist in coordinating the various ministers at weekend liturgies, in setting up before the liturgy and cleaning up afterwards those things needed for Mass at one weekend liturgy as scheduled, in cleaning altar linens, and cleaning the church on a regular rotation. Training is required and provided by Parishioner-Coordinator(s) and Saint Denis Staff.

Altar Servers

These youth (age 10 and older, girls and boys) and assist the priests during all weekend liturgies, on holy days, and at other times as needed. Training is required, and is provided at least once a year.
Older students may be trained and scheduled to serve as Master of Ceremonies, with additional responsibilities to set up for the liturgy, to train younger servers, and to assist the celebrant more closely. A Master of Ceremonies typically is invited to serve in this position when older than 13 and after serving faithfully as an altar server for at least two years.

Funeral Ministers

The Funeral Team assists with funerals before, during and after the liturgy. They assist in ministry to the family and friends of the departed, prepare the program and the church for the funeral, serve during the funeral in whatever capacity is needed, and arrange a reception for those gathered after the funeral (baking, setting up, cleaning, etc.).

Communion Ministers - Homebound

These ministers bring Holy Communion to the sick, the hospitalized, and the homebound. These ministers may also be Communion ministers at Saint Denis parish liturgies. Training is required and provided by Parishioner-Coordinator(s) and Saint Denis Staff. By Diocesan regulation, all Communion ministers serve for three years, and must be approved by the Diocesan bishop.

With specific deputation by the pastor and proper training, extraordinary ministers of Communion may also serve in the following ways (using the appropriate form in the official rituals):

minister Communion to the sick or to shut-ins;

in the absence of a priest or deacon, expose the reserved Blessed Sacrament for public adoration and later repose it; they may not give benediction with the Blessed Sacrament;

in the absence of a priest or deacon, and with proper delegation by Bishop McCormack, lead the rite of Holy Communion Outside Mass.

Other special functions, like distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday or assisting with the St. Blaise blessing may be entrusted by the pastor to any appropriate lay person. That person need not be a minister of Communion, nor does commissioning as an extraordinary minister of Communion bring with it other privileges or duties.

Communion Ministers - Liturgy

These liturgical ministers assist in the distribution of Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ, during the celebration of the Eucharist. Training is required and provided by Parishioner-Coordinator(s) and Saint Denis Staff. Diocesan regulations make the following provisions for the selection of Communion Ministers:

The community's need for extraordinary ministers of Communion must first be determined. For both Sunday and weekday Masses, the following present legitimate needs: the presence of large numbers of communicants; the desire to provide Communion under both kinds and more frequent Communion for the sick, especially on Sunday; incapacitation of the ordinary minister.

Men and women who are 18 years of age or older may be appointed. They should be mature in faith and be known to other parishioners as exemplary Catholics. They must also be fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist).

Selection of candidates should be as objective as possible, seeking an appropriate reflection of the diversity and unity of the local parish community, e.g., not be confined to one age group, sex, race or social class.

The selection may happen in a number of ways: selection by pastoral staff and parish liturgy committee, nomination by the parish council, or through nomination by the parish at large with approval by the pastor.

The pastor (or, with the pastor's permission, the parochial vicar) must send the names of candidates to the Office of the Chancellor, who, in the name of the Bishop, gives approval and grants the faculty. The signature of the priest, or in the case of a religious community, the religious superior of the congregation, is required as a recommendation of the candidates.

The faculty becomes effective at the time of the celebration of the liturgical rite of commissioning (Book of Blessings, Chapter 63). Unless previously withdrawn, it remains in effect for three years. This date is the same for all extraordinary ministers in a given parish.

All Communion ministers must be prepared for their liturgical role through some kind of program that includes the following: (Please refer to the training program for extraordinary ministers of Communion in the Guidelines for the Care and Celebration of the Eucharist in the Diocese of Manchester ).

Reflection on the nature of liturgical ministry, the mystery of the Eucharist and the theology of the Mass.

Renewed appreciation of the ritual nature and structure of the Mass, especially the importance and role of the baptized assemble and the multiple liturgical roles within it.

The relationship between Communion of the sick and the assembly's celebration of the Mass, especially on Sunday.

Rehearsal of the practical function of the minister of Communion both at Mass and in visitation of the sick. In addition, where it is necessary for such ministers to lead Communion services outside of Mass or to assist with public Eucharistic adoration, they must be specifically prepared for their role as leader of the community's prayer and in the use of the prescribed ritual.

Music Ministry

The ministry of cantor at the various weekend Masses enriches, embellishes, and supports the celebration of the liturgy through God’s gift of music. Discernment of this gift through an informal audition, experience as a choral singer, and the ability to read music are required
Contact : Lisa Willems at music.stdenis@gmail.com

Ushers - Hospitality Ministers

These ministers assist in greeting, seating, offering facility information, maintaining safety, and taking up the offertory at all weekend liturgies and on Holy Days. Training is required and provided by Parishioner-Coordinator(s) and Saint Denis Staff.